GEORGE Hoad drove to Newcastle recently to present a cheque for $9000 to Ronald McDonald House, the proceeds from his highly successful Art in the Garden Open Day.

He took his mother, Janice, who cooked over 800 scones for the big day, and has cooked well over 3000 scones for George’s other Open Garden days.

Ronald McDonald House Newcastle, located in the grounds of the John Hunter Hospital, provides a ‘Home away from Home’ to families of seriously ill or injured children and services the Mid North Coast of NSW.

The House offers a homelike environment full of compassion and understanding in a stressful and often difficult time.

The management and staff supplied a delicious lunch for the visit and showed their appreciation for ‘all those scones’ by presenting Janice with a framed certificate.

House manager, Alison Wellings, thanked George for the generous donation and on behalf of the management, staff and guests of the house, expressed their enormous gratitude for George’s ongoing fundraising activities.

Over the past seven years, George, with members of the Killabakh Garden Club, have raised over $30,000 for the house, an amount George is very proud of.

“When you visit the house and meet the children and families who utilise this amazing facility, you can’t help but be touched and affected.

To see the long up hill battle faced by many, but also the strength, courage and good humour so many of these young folk display, is heart warming indeed.”